Richard G. Stearns dismisses the administration's high-profile antisemitism lawsuit against Harvard University.
A federal judge in Boston has dismissed the administration's multi-billion-dollar lawsuit against Harvard University regarding its failure to protect Jewish students from discrimination. US District Judge Richard G. Stearns ruled that while the administration highlighted several concerning incidents of antisemitism on campus, these events were too isolated and episodic to prove a persistent violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. The administration had argued that Harvard was deliberately indifferent to discrimination, seeking to halt $2.6 billion in federal grants and requiring the school to repay millions in payments. Harvard countered that the government's litigation was a form of retaliation for the school's refusal to comply with federal demands and an overstep of its First Amendment rights. Justice Department officials expressed strong disagreement with the ruling and are currently reviewing options for a potential appeal. Harmeet Dhillon, the assistant attorney general for civil rights, stated that the Civil Rights Division is actively investigating antisemitism nationwide.